Rutgers 02 Post Game: Trap Games

1.25 ppp...and They Lost?!
Up five with 0:11 left, everyone in the RAC had to know that Rutgers would need two possessions. James Beaty hit a three pointer four seconds into the possession, leaving Villanova with the ball and six seconds to kill. They could not play keep away for six seconds as Dane Miller fouled Corey Fisher with five seconds left. The senior guard hits both free throws and it is over, but the Fish could only convert one, leaving Rutgers with the task of getting down the floor and setting up a three point attempt with six seconds left. Jon Mitchell hit the shot with less than a second showing, but worse, Fisher was called for a foul on the converted shot. To line went Mitchell where he gave Rutgers their first lead since the 18:00 mark of the first half. And a miracle win. And a few questions hanging.

The Villanova blogosphere is subdued tonight, whether questions about the unexpected loss or simply distracted by Saturday's GameDay it is hard to tell. VUHoops.com posted their trademark recap with player/team grades. The Nova Blog also posted a recap that gave a good deal of credit for the win. The Athletic Department website posted the official boxscore and the AP wire story, "No. 9 Villanova Stunned by Rutgers...". The breakdown by halves...

Opponent:		Rutgers University
	1st	2nd	Game
Pace	27.8	33.1	60.9
	Offense				Defense
	1st	2nd	Game		1st	2nd	Game
eFG%	58.7	72.5	65.1		41.1	67.2	54.4
TORate	18.0	21.2	19.7		18.0	9.1	13.1
OR%	36.4	36.4	36.4		47.1	31.3	39.4
FTA/FGA	34.8	95.0	62.8		21.4	51.7	36.8
FTM/FGA	34.8	60.0	46.5		17.9	34.5	26.3
ARate	83.3	50.0	66.7		45.5	62.5	55.6
Blk%	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0
Stl%	10.8	12.5	11.7		14.4	5.9	9.7
PPWS	1.31	1.41	1.36		0.91	1.36	1.15
2FG%	56.3	63.6	59.3		45.5	50.0	47.5
3FG%	42.9	55.6	50.0		16.7	63.6	47.1
FT%	100.0	63.2	74.1		83.3	66.7	71.4
%2FG	51.4	34.1	42.1		71.4	36.7	49.4
%3FG	25.7	36.6	31.6		10.7	42.9	31.2
%FT	22.9	29.3	26.3		17.9	20.4	19.5

Another game that suggests the "Shoot 'em up" game strategy is moving to the scrap heap of history. At 60/61 possessions, this is another "well below the D1 mean", low possession game played by Villanova.

Records, Next Up...
Villanova's records stand at 19-5 overall and 7-4 in conference. The Wildcats lost another game to conference-leader Pitt, and to second place Notre Dame who beat Louisville. Rutgers ups it's record to 13-11 and 4-8 in conference play, moving into a tie with Seton Hall for 12^th place. Villanova returns to campus to play Pittsburgh in an ESPN-driven GameDay at the Pavilion. Rutgers continues their home-stand as they host Seton Hall next Saturday (2/13).